Step-like foldable display stand and assembly method of such a step-like foldable display stand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding display stands are complex to manufacture and assemble, have long assembly times, and are costly due to their intricate structures, making them inefficient and expensive to produce.

Innovation Solution

A folding display stand made from sheet material with a simple, foldable structure comprising a rear wall, side walls, and horizontal shelves, formed from interconnected sheet elements with specific fold lines and fastening means, allowing for easy assembly and collapse, providing stable support without covering lower shelves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If complex structures with multiple panels, folds, joints and mountings are used to stiffen the display stand structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple structural components (panels, folds, joints, and mountings) into a single integrated sheet element with pre-formed fold lines and cut-out portions. This merging eliminates the need for separate panels and complex assembly of multiple parts, achieving structural stability through the integrated design while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet element is segmented into functional regions through pre-formed fold lines (first, second, third fold lines) and cut-out portions, creating distinct panels and mounting areas. This segmentation allows the single sheet to form multiple structural components that work together to provide stability without requiring separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If complex structures with multiple panels and joints are used to stiffen the display stand, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The structural panels, fold lines, and mounting features are prepared in advance during sheet fabrication. The fold lines are pre-formed and the cut-out portions are created before assembly, allowing the display stand to be assembled quickly by simply folding along the pre-formed lines and attaching the integrated components, rather than assembling multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By combining multiple components into a single integrated sheet element, the number of assembly operations is dramatically reduced. The structure achieves stability through the integrated design that requires minimal assembly steps, directly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the display stand structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the sheet element by introducing pre-formed fold lines with specific geometries and strategically positioned cut-out portions. These parameter changes transform a simple flat sheet into a structurally stable three-dimensional form through folding, achieving both ease of manufacture (simple sheet material) and structural stability (folded configuration with reinforced panels).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet element is segmented into functional panels through fold lines and cut-out portions, creating a structure that provides stability through its geometric configuration rather than through complex materials or additional components. This segmentation allows the simplified single-sheet design to achieve the structural integrity normally requiring multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If multiple sheet elements are used to form the display stand structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sheet elements into a single integrated sheet element that contains all necessary structural features. This single sheet forms all panels, side walls, rear wall, and shelves through folding and cutting operations, eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate sheet elements and dramatically improving ease of assembly while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single sheet element is segmented into multiple functional panels through pre-formed fold lines and cut-out portions. This segmentation creates distinct structural components (front panel, side walls, rear wall, shelves) within a single sheet, allowing the structure to achieve the stability of multiple elements while maintaining the assembly simplicity of a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3669709B1Step-like foldable display stand and assembly method of such a step-like foldable display stand
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 FARFAGLIA EVOLUZIONI GRAFICHE
  • EP3669709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3669709B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3669709B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Folding display stand (1) made of sheet material, comprising at least one rear wall (2), at least a pair of side walls (3', 3") and a plurality of substantially horizontal shelves (4) interposed between the side walls (3', 3") and wherein the rear wall (2), the side walls (3', 3") and the shelves (4) are formed from a front sheet element (6), a rear sheet element (7) and at least one intermediate sheet element (8). Each of the sheet elements (6, 7, 8) has a central portion (9, 12, 15) and a pair of lateral end portions (10A, 10B; 13A, 13B; 16A, 16B) respectively defined by first (11A, 11B), second (14A, 14B) and third (17A, 17B) fold lines which are substantially parallel. The sheet elements (6, 7, 8) are joined together by fastening means which fasten the respective lateral end portions (10A, 10B; 13A, 13B; 16A, 16B) to each other, so that said first (11A, 11B), second (14A, 14B) and third (17A, 17B) fold lines will be parallel to each other and the sheet elements (6, 8) have respective cut-out central portions (9, 15) to form respective flat panels (18A, 18B) that are designed to be folded along respective fourth fold lines (19A, 19B), substantially perpendicular to the first, second and third fold lines (11A, 11B; 14A, 14B; 17A, 17B) to form at least two shelves (4) in step-like staggered relationship.